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Barnstormer, World War II fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic genius—Bob Hoover is a true American hero. Now, in Forever Flying, he tells his amazing story, sharing all the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts and death-defying exploits that have made him a living aviation legend.

The true story of one man’s flight into history.

Barnstormer, World War II fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic genius—Bob Hoover is a true American hero. Now, in FOREVER FLYING, he tells his amazing story, sharing all the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts and death-defying exploits that have made him a living aviation legend. Climb into the cockpit with America’s original top gun for an astonishing inside look at flight in action—and on the edge.

Read about:

• Hoover’s dramatic dogfights as a decorated World War II fighter pilot...including the encounter that knocked him out of the sky

• His daring escape from the Nazis’ infamous Stalag I prison camp—when he stole a German plane and flew it to Holland

• The great aviators he has known, such as Orville Wright, Eddie Rickenbacker, Charles Lindbergh, and Neil Armstrong

• Hoover’s one-of-a-kind maneuvers that have dazzled air-show crowds the world over.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

No less an authority than Jimmy Doolittle considers Hoover "the greatest stick and rudder pilot who ever lived," and in this autobiography, Hoover provides ample evidence that he has been as skilled a pilot of jets as he was of earlier aircraft. Born in 1922, he soloed at age 16 and went on to become a fighter pilot in WWII, during which he was shot down and served more than a year as a German prisoner of war. In 1950, he became one of the chief test pilots for North American Aviation and, subsequently, for the merged NAA-Rockwell. Although he became an executive in that corporation, he frequently climbed into the cockpit to demonstrate its products, even defying corporate orders by joining in some bombing missions during the Korean War. Hoover retired from the industry in 1986 but continued appearing in air shows until 1992, when, at the age of 70, his license was pulled by the FAA. After a three-year legal battle led by F. Lee Bailey, his license was reinstated last year. Shaw (Down for the Count) has helped him tell his exciting story, including anecdotes about Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh, Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong, all of whom he knew personally. Author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Hoover is one of the nation's premier airmen, probably best known to the public for his spectacular airshow routines. During the course of a half-century spent in numerous cockpits, he has gone from barnstorming in prop planes to dogfighting Germans to testing Supersopnic jets and done them all well. Along the way he has flown with?and frequently against?many of the legendary names in American aviation. His book is not so much a formal autobiography as a chatty memoir of the aviation community. Writing with the swagger he has justly earned, Hoover breezes past the mundane details of career, training, and family life in favor of an unending series of flying stories and reminiscences that are full of nifty details. Casual readers as well as airplane buffs will be fascinated. For popular collections.?Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Edwards AFB, Cal.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Top customer reviews

Not as engrossing as one would expect from a test pilot who was at the vanguard during the transition from propeller to jet flight. I think the tthing that distracts most is Bob's penchant for following the dollar in civilian test flight that slugging it out the way his military buddies did. He seems to be riding on the coat-tails of Chuck Yeager and the others from "Muroc" to sell his story. Would recommend but still think book is less than inspiring.

I was blessed to have met the author and aviation icon, Bob Hoover in the mid-80's. As a fellow pilot and airshow participant I felt lucky to stand in his company and learn from his tales and tidbits of flying technique. His book will allow you to share in his life, one filled with aircraft, flying and pushing the envelope. From his first flight to his fight with the FAA who tried to ground him as "old and worn out" Bob Hoover paints an amazing portrait of what flying is really about.

There are two types of people in the world... those who fly and those who wish they could. read Bob Hoover's book and allow him to take you on a wild ride or two and see what it means to strap on the aircraft and own it. I strongly recommend this book and know you will enjoy it cover to cover.

Bob Hoover is the kind of fellow we all used to look up to, strong, bold and prepared to handle the unexpected. A man who really did stuff that made a difference for our future. Reading this book demonstrated the huge difference between the current American pop culture and the culture of our youth 65 years ago. There was a time when we looked to the future years instead of the next Saturday night, a time when young men dreamed of making a difference for the world instead of a dream of getting by until tomorrow. I was so disappointed to find this book for one cent. It should have cost $10.00. While its Bob Hoovers story it really is a story of how America once was and how it can be again.

R.A. "Bob" Hoover is a Living Legend of Aviation and a true American hero! His greatest contribution to the world of aviation has most likely been as a test pilot. Test pilots are a rare and brave breed. They are paid to put their lives on the line so that pilots who follow them, as well as passengers, do not.

There is an saying that "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots." Hoover comes very close to disproving that piece of wisdom, but in fact what appears to be boldness on his part is usually the result of careful analysis and planning. He understands the limitations of what he can accomplish and he does not accept what he considers to be an unacceptable risk. Because of that he has lived into his eighties and become a legend among those of us who revere the world of flight.

His is a life well lived and he has seen them all at one time or another from Charles Lindberg, Roscoe Turner, and Amelia Earhart to Jimmy Doolittle, Chuck Yeagar, Neil Armstrong, Wally Schirrah and a host of other well known aviation names.

His autobiography is somewhat unassuming, although there is certainly an element of pride and awe in his description of what he has accomplished, not the least of which was a very trying and near fatal experience as a prisoner of war, during WW2 which had nothing to do with flying and everything to do with being a man of integrity.

Oh, does he have stories to tell and he does it with the same enthusiasm he brought to his profession. He is simply an American icon and this book is a real treasure.

Talk about "a pilots pilot"! He is the real deal. There will never be another Bob Hoover. The era he lived through, and his can do attitude, and of course his skills are of the highest level. I remember seeing him perform at least 2 - 3 times as a youngster and I still remember the routine today. This book shows that this man is not just an air show pilot, it shows the experience and years of discipline through his aviation carer that put him in the highest standing among the Aviation community. You go Mr. Hoover... KCHD

Despite some comments to the contrary, this is a well written series of events in Bob Hoover's long and distinguished aviation career. I saw him fly at the EAA in early 1980's and had a chance to briefly talk to him. Good guy, and a terrific pilot.

Bob has put his amazing story on paper. Having met him on several occasions and spent time in close proximity with the man, I can say that the story is exciting and interesting. The person is even more so, but a true gentleman, par excellence. My life has been enhanced by seeing him fly several times, hearing him talk at many events and following his exploits across the world. It is truly a blessing that I, a professional aviator, have his signature in my logbook. My recommendation to any pilot wannabe is to read this book and try to exemplify your flying in his footsteps, or should I say, his incomparable wings.